Trial opens for ex-Mass. treasurer in lottery case

Updated: Nov 5, 2012 - 7:43 AM

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Trial opens for ex-Mass. treasurer in lottery case

BOSTON (AP) - A prosecutor described former Massachusetts Treasurer Tim
Cahill on Monday as someone who schemed to "reach into the pocket" of
the state lottery to boost his faltering 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

But Cahill's lawyer said he was simply defending the lottery against an
attack when he approved a series of advertisements lauding the lottery and its
management.

The two markedly different pictures of Cahill were described during opening
statements at Cahill's corruption trial.

Cahill, who as treasurer oversaw the lottery, is accused of airing $1.8
million in taxpayer-funded lottery ads as a means of promoting his independent
campaign for governor.

Cahill is charged with conspiracy to use his official position to gain an
unwarranted privilege and conspiracy to commit procurement fraud.

Cahill's former campaign manager, Scott Campbell, is being tried with Cahill
on similar charges.

Assistant Attorney General James O'Brien told the jury that Cahill decided
to push for the lottery ads after he went from being competitive and "in
the race" to "being a clear third person in the race" in the
spring of 2010, behind Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick and Republican challenger
Charles Baker.

O'Brien said Cahill's descent came after the Republican Governors
Association ran a series of ads attacking Cahill for being reckless with the
state's money, including through his running of the state lottery.

In July 2010, O'Brien said, Cahill and Campbell put together focus groups
that showed that Cahill's association with the successful state lottery
"was an enormous selling point."

O'Brien said that soon after the focus groups ended, Cahill's campaign staff
decided to resurrect the lottery's "permission ads," which would tout
the lottery as beneficial to the state because proceeds not handed out in prize
money are turned over to cities and towns.

The ads did not mention Cahill by name or show his image. But at the same
time those ads were running, Cahill was running his own ads trumpeting his
management of the lottery.

Cahill's lawyer, Brad Bailey, said the idea to run the lottery ads came from
the chief executive of the lottery, not Cahill, because there was concern that
the Republican Governors Association ads would hurt the lottery's image and
have a negative impact on the sale of lottery tickets.

Bailey said Cahill will take the stand in his own defense and testify that
he was also concerned about the impact of the negative ads on the lottery.

Cahill made a decision "to protect the brand and to do his duty as
treasurer," Bailey said.

"Our client will tell you that he had no fraudulent intent,"
Bailey said.